Top 14 side Biarritz have bolstered their front-row with the signing of Sharks prop Eugene van Staden.

Eduard Coetzee was forced to retire on Tuesday as a result of taking too many blows to the head and the side who currently prop up the French league have moved quickly to secure a replacement. Van Staden - who is equally adept on either side of the scrum - played for Montpellier from 2007-10 before returning to South Africa and the Natal Sharks and joins on loan for two months.

Biarritz are struggling in the domestic league to date and started their Heineken Cup campaign with a loss away to the Ospreys. And they host Aviva Premiership champions Saracens at the weekend and Biarritz hope to have van Staden available after submitting his paper work to the tournament organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC).